GB2412469A - Mobile Data Processing Handsets - Google Patents
Mobile Data Processing Handsets Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2412469A GB2412469A GB0406736A GB0406736A GB2412469A GB 2412469 A GB2412469 A GB 2412469A GB 0406736 A GB0406736 A GB 0406736A GB 0406736 A GB0406736 A GB 0406736A GB 2412469 A GB2412469 A GB 2412469A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- handset
- user
- hand
- hole
- handle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10881—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices constructional details of hand-held scanners
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
- Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
Abstract
A handset, e.g. a barcode scanner, for data entry and communication includes a body having user operable control buttons on a front face thereof and is adapted to allow a user to hold the handset by hand, wherein the body has a hole extending through the body and at least one function button is located on the front face adjacent to the hole whereby when the body is held by a hand of a user the function button is operable by the user's finger or thumb of that hand extending through the hole. The handset may include, attached to the body, a handle which is adapted to be held by the hand of a user whilst a finger or thumb of a user is extendible through the hole to contact the function button. The handle may be pivotable.
Description
24 1 2469 TITLE: MOBILE DATA PROCESSING HANDSETS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mobile handsets for data processing, e.g. including data entry and communication.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mobile data processing handsets are used in various applications, e.g. for entry and communication of data. The data entry may be carried out manually by the user using data input means such as a keyboard or function buttons and/or by scanning or imaging information, e.g. a bar code, carried on an article, e.g. a product being manufactured or shipped or a package whose transit is being tracked.The communication of data by the handset may be by wireless (radio) communication to a remote receiver.
Handsets used for data entry and scanning are frequently fitted with a handle. The user grips the handle with one hand and operates the handset with the other hand.
The handle may include a simple trigger switch, e.g. which is squeezed by the user to initiate a bar-code scan, but all other manual data entry functions must be carried out with the user's other hand.
Thus, one hand of the user is occupied physically holding the handle, thus requiring the other hand to be used for menu operations and other functions. In the case of known handsets as described, the weight of the handset is supported only at the point of connection of the handle 2 CM06346EIJM/GB forming effectively a pivoted lever with the user's hand on the other end of the lever. This adds to the strain and torque effects on the user's hand, making prolonged work periods uncomfortable, and may even lead to Repetitive Strain Injury (RST).
The purpose of the present invention is to recognize that an improved construction of handset would be desirable and to provide such a handset.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a mobile handset for data processing including a body having user operable control buttons on a front face thereof and being adapted to allow a user to hold the handset by hand, wherein the body has a hole extending through the body and at least one function button is located on the front face adjacent to the hole whereby when the body is held by a hand of a user the function button is operable by the user's finger or thumb of that hand extending through the hole.
The handset may be adapted for data entry and communication, e.g. by radio communication. The handset may include a handle attached to the body of the handset which is adapted to be held by the hand of a user whilst a finger or thumb of a user is extendible through the hole to contact the function button.
According to the present invention in a second aspect there is provided a method of operating by a user a handset according to the first aspect which includes the user holding the handset in one hand with a finger or thumb of 3 CM06346EIJVGB that hand extending through the hole of the handset to operate the function button.
The handset according to the present invention allows one handed operation of a function button of the handset whilst leaving the other hand of a user free. The weight of the handset may beneficially be more evenly distributed over the hand holding the handle thereby improving user comfort and minimizing RSI.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. l is a front perspective view of a data scanning and radio communication handset according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the handset of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the handset of FIG. l showing the handset being held and operated by a user.
FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative data scanning and radio communication handset being held and operated by a user.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIGs. l to 3 show a data scanning and radio communication handset l embodying the present invention.
The handset l is suitable for scanning or imaging a barcode on an article (not shown), e.g. a mail package being delivered from one destination to another. The handset 4 CM06346EIJMIGB includes a barcode scanning device 3 at the top end of the handset 1 which gathers data from a barcode and processes and stores the data in processor/memory device (not shown) inside the handset 1. Data may also be entered into the processor/memory of the handset 1 by a user by use of operation keys 5 on a front face of the handset 1. Data held by the processor/memory may be sent by radio communication to a remote receiver, e.g. at a control station, by a radio transmitter (not shown) of known form included in the handset 1 coupled to the processor/memory.
Selection of on/off operation of the scanning device 3 is by a user operated button 7 shown in FIG. 1. The button 7 is located directly above a hole 9 extending through a body of the handset 1.
As seen in FIG. 2, the handset 1 has attached to the rear of its body a handle 11. The handle 11 is pivoted as described below and may be stowed in a recess 13 in a rear face of the handset 1 which includes the hole 9.
In use, the handle 11 is held by a hand 15 of a user as shown in FIG. 3. A thumb 17 of the user's hand 15 whilst holding the handle 11 extends through the hole 9 and reaches the button 7 which the user is able to operate with the thumb 17. Thus, the handset 1 may conveniently be held by one hand 15 of the user and the button 7 may be operated by the thumb 17 of that same hand 15.
The hole 9 is provided at a spacing from the handle 11 that allows for the fingers and palm of the hand 15 to comfortably grip the handle 11. Further, positioning of the hand 15 with respect to the handset 1 allows, as shown in FIG. 3, the weight of the handset 1 to be distributed over the upper side of the hand, wrist and lower arm of the user. At the same time, the side of the thumb 17 resting CM06346EIJM/GB against the side of the hole 9 adds stability to the position of the handset 1.
In another embodiment (not shown), a sub-set of controls operated by the user's thumb may consist of a navigator pad of known form. For example, such a pad may comprise four navigation/cursor keys and a centre mounted "Enter" key.
Additional function keys may be provided around the navigator pad.
Using such a navigator pad, together with a modern menu driven portable device operating software program, such as Microsoft Windows Pocket PC 2003 (RTM), access, selection and operation of a considerable sub-set of the functions of the handset may be provided, all whilst using the thumb alone to access different menus and functions and select different operations.
By swivelling the handle 13 to an orientation that is almost parallel and in line with the body of the handset 1, the handset may be easily clipped onto a user's belt (not shown). Similarly, this orientation of the handle allows for the least bulky and most optimum handset 1 configuration for storage and transport. Further, the handle 13, in this folded position, can be used by the user for hand carrying the terminal.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative handset 21 embodying the invention. In this case, the handset 21 has a suitable form factor and weight which allow omission of a handle. Thus, the handset 21 without any handle may rest at its lower end on the palm of the user's hand indicated by reference numeral 23. The body of the handset 21 has a hole 25 therethrough and on its front face a button 27, similar to the button 7 in FIG. 1, to provide on/off control of a scanning device (not shown) incorporated in the handset 21.
6 CM06346EI]M/GB The user's thumb 29 of the hand 23 extends through the hole to reach and operate the button 27.
Claims (7)
1. A mobile handset for data processing including a body having user operable control buttons on a front face thereof and being adapted to allow a user to hold the handset by hand, wherein the body has a hole extending through the body and at least one function button is located on the front face adjacent to the hole whereby when the body is held by a hand of a user the function button is operable by the user's finger or thumb of that hand extending through the hole.
2. A handset according to claim l which is adapted for data entry and communication.
3. A handset according to claim 2 which is operable to scan or image barcode data.
4. A handset according to claim l,claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the handset includes, attached to the body, a handle which is adapted to be held by the hand of a user whilst a finger or thumb of a user is extendible through the hole to contact the function button.
5. A handset according to claim 4 and wherein the
handle is pivotable.
6. A handset according to claim l substantially as herein described with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings.
7. A method of operating by a user a handset according to any one of claims l to 6 which includes the user holding the handset in one hand with a finger or thumb of that hand extending through the hole of the handset to operate a function button of the handset
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0406736A GB2412469B (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-03-26 | Mobile data processing handsets |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0406736A GB2412469B (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-03-26 | Mobile data processing handsets |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0406736D0 GB0406736D0 (en) | 2004-04-28 |
| GB2412469A true GB2412469A (en) | 2005-09-28 |
| GB2412469B GB2412469B (en) | 2006-07-26 |
Family
ID=32188689
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0406736A Expired - Fee Related GB2412469B (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-03-26 | Mobile data processing handsets |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2412469B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102150415A (en) * | 2008-09-22 | 2011-08-10 | 诺基亚公司 | Electronic handheld device with user interface |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04319720A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1992-11-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Personal information appliance |
| JPH0918373A (en) * | 1995-07-03 | 1997-01-17 | Hitachi Ltd | Portable telephone set provided with malfunction prevention opening part |
| WO2000024177A1 (en) * | 1998-10-20 | 2000-04-27 | Boris Wildermann | Transportable communication and/or image recording device |
-
2004
- 2004-03-26 GB GB0406736A patent/GB2412469B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04319720A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1992-11-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Personal information appliance |
| JPH0918373A (en) * | 1995-07-03 | 1997-01-17 | Hitachi Ltd | Portable telephone set provided with malfunction prevention opening part |
| WO2000024177A1 (en) * | 1998-10-20 | 2000-04-27 | Boris Wildermann | Transportable communication and/or image recording device |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102150415A (en) * | 2008-09-22 | 2011-08-10 | 诺基亚公司 | Electronic handheld device with user interface |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0406736D0 (en) | 2004-04-28 |
| GB2412469B (en) | 2006-07-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20120326 |